Kofi Annan has told the U.N. Security Council that the situation in Syria is "bleak." He expressed particular alarm at reports that government troops entered the central city of Hama firing automatic weapons, and killing a number of people.

Annan echoed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in calling the current situation "unacceptable". In his closed-door briefing Tuesday to the council, he urged the government and opposition to respect the April 12 cease-fire. After Annan’s briefing, US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, spoke out against the continuing violence at a press conference.